Superfast Chicken Recipes

Quicken your chicken with these dishes that require only about 20 minutes to prepare.

Quicken your chicken with these dishes that require only about 20 minutes to prepare.

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Cooking Light staff

August 14, 2008

1 of 58Photo: Caitlin Bensel

Chicken Thighs with Peperonata and Roasted Broccoli

We’re amazed by what this recipe achieves in just 20 minutes: crispy bone-in chicken thighs; a sweet, tangy, and savory pepper topper; and roasted broccoli. Part of the speed comes from being efficient with your pans—the pepper mixture cooks in the same pan used to crisp the chicken skin (adding fantastic flavor), and the broccoli and chicken roast together on a single baking sheet. Anchovy paste lends depth without tasting fishy. Dress up the broccoli even more with a squeeze of lemon, grated Parmesan cheese, and a pinch of crushed red pepper.

Chicken and Summer Vegetable Tostadas

Want to shave off a few more precious minutes from this superfast recipe? Skip the step of broiling the tortillas and you'll end up with equally tasty soft tacos. Have more time? Pair these light and crispy tostadas with our fresh Mexican soup for a festive meal that's worthy of guests.

Caesar-Crusted Chicken Salad

Deconstructing a familiar classic is always fun. Here, the anchovy and Parmesan dressing becomes a rub for grilled chicken and the crunch comes from a crisp panko crust instead of croutons. The anchovy adds a briny, savory depth to the chicken that isn’t fishy, but you can omit for a version that’s more kid-friendly. Instead of shredded lettuce, we grill romaine hearts whole for more of a centerpiece, knife-and-fork feel. Most grill pans are made of cast-iron and are oven-safe. If yours is not, or your pan is missing a handle, use a cast-iron skillet instead.

Chicken Potpie Skillet Pizza

Try this quick, playful spin to turn pizza night on its head—in a good way. You get all the creamy goodness of chicken potpie, in a fun, eat-with-your-hands way that kids will love. Grown-ups will dig it, too, especially if you offer hot sauce at the table. Cooking the pizza in a preheated cast-iron skillet makes the crust wonderfully crispy so that it doesn’t sog out when the creamy sauce goes on. Be sure to use only 10 ounces of dough (though you’ll likely have to purchase in a 1-pound or larger ball); save the remaining dough to make breadsticks the next night.

Grilled Chicken Skewers with Wasabi Mayo

A kicking dipping sauce adds amped up fun and flavor. Serve with Orzo with Snap Peas, Cilantro, and Peanuts for a complete meal with 46g of protein. If you use wood skewers on the outdoor grill, be sure to soak them in water before grilling to avoid burning. Make a few extra skewers to add chicken to lunches and salads the next day. The wasabi mayo adds bold flavor to simply seasoned grilled chicken and pairs well with the sweetness of honey and tang of rice vinegar. The mayo can be saved and served alongside roasted vegetables, skirt steak, or fresh grilled fish.

Chicken Pesto Grilled Portobello Mushrooms

It’s seems like portobello mushrooms were just made for stuffing. Not only is this loaded fork-and-knife-entrée easy and cheesy; it's customizable, too. Make it your own with any produce or herbs you already have in your fridge, you can even switch up the protein if you’re feeling like steak or serving a vegetarian guest. If you don’t mind the extra step, homemade pesto takes this dish from great to amazing.

Quick Chicken Piccata

Chicken-Peanut Chow Mein

This quick and easy chow mein recipe is just as tasty as take-out, but better for you. Look for chow mein noodles (sometimes labeled as chuka soba) in the Asian section of the supermarket. If you can't find them, you can always substitute spaghetti or linguine.

Pan-Roasted Chicken Cutlets with Maple-Mustard Dill Sauce

Try not to skimp on the real maple syrup―this quality ingredient is worth the splurge. Grated orange rind and fresh dill add dimension to a sauce you'll want to savor. Serve orange-scented couscous to make it go farther.

Spicy Honey-Brushed Chicken Thighs

Mix. Toss. Broil. Brush. That's it for this super simple, 5-star recipe. Skinless, boneless thighs are more flavorful than skinless chicken breasts, so they need less embellishment. Bought more thighs than you need? Put them to use in another one of our favorite recipes― Margarita-Braised Chicken Thighs.

Barbecue Pulled Chicken Sliders

Didn't think pulled chicken was possible in less than 20 minutes? You'll become a believer once you try your first bite of this delicious sweet and savory sandwich. For a less sweet option, use sliced dill pickles.

Chicken, Carrot, and Cucumber Salad

This is no run-of-the-mill chicken salad. Cucumber gives this salad a cool crunch, while sliced radishes and cilantro add a distinctly different flavor. Try it for a light dinner, and save the leftovers for tomorrow's lunch.

Chicken Panini with Fig Jam

A little heat turns a sandwich into a meal. This panini combines the sweet and savory flavors of fig jam and crumbled blue cheese for a special treat. Don't have a sandwich press? No problem―it's easy to improvise. Just place the sandwich in a regular nonstick skillet and press it under the weight of a cast-iron skillet or a regular skillet weighted down with cans.

Spiced Chicken Thighs with Yogurt Sauce

Chicken Souvlaki

Typically made with grilled lamb, this Greek dish works well with poultry, too. Pre-cooked chicken saves prep time in this recipe. Complement the dish with store-bought hummus and tabbouleh or try our home-made versions: Spicy Orange Hummusand Quinoa Tabbouleh.

Spiced Chicken and Greens with Pomegranate Dressing

This superfast salad gets a boost from luscious pomegranate, which is packed with vitamin C and potassium. Sprinkle on other seasonal fruits for an additional nutrient boost. With just 6.7 grams of fat and 42.2 grams of protein per serving, you'll want to make this recipe a staple.

Sicilian Chicken

Sicilian cuisine is among the healthiest in the world. The flavors of this blue zone inspired a dish that uses many pantry staples for a tasty and effortless dinner with just 304 calories and 6.8 grams of fat per serving.

Herbed Greek Chicken Salad

Quick. Simple. Classic. The Greek salad pairs well with most entrees or stands alone as a light meal with toasted pita wedges. If you have time for a more substantial (and leisurely) meal, make this alongside our Greek Lamb Pilaf.

Pineapple Chicken Salad Pitas

If you don't have pitas on hand, substitute whole-grain bread for this interesting chicken salad. Pineapple adds a hint of sweetness, while matchstick carrots and slivered almonds add texture and crunch. The recipe calls for canned pineapple, but works equally well with fresh if you've got the time.

Cider-Glazed Chicken with Browned Butter-Pecan Rice

Thai Chicken Sauté

This elegant Thai dish is impressive enough to serve company, but your guests never need to know you didn't spend hours in the kitchen. Serve with a fresh Thai salad for a meal that's long on flavor and short on fat.

Chicken Cutlets with Tarragon-Mustard Sauce

Chicken Cutlets with Strawberry-Avocado Salsa

This colorful, flavor-forward dish makes the most of peak-season produce with a sweet and tangy fruit salsa that would be equally delicious served over pork chops or with whole-grain tortilla chips. The heat from the seeded jalapeño is mild, but it can be omitted. To round out your plate, try serving the chicken and salsa over a bed of rice or with a simple side salad.